Gypsophila plant named `Magic Tavor`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of gypsophila plant named Magic Tavor, characterized by its white flower color, sturdy stems, upright and conical growth habit, floriferousness, early flowering, continuous flowering in Israel from April to late fall, and its suitability for cut flower production.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofGypsophila plant, referred to by the cultivar name Magic Tavor.

The new cultivar was developed by the inventor Klara Dehan in MishmarHashiva, Israel through controlled breeding by crossing male and femaleparents which are unknown at this time. Both parents were selectedseedlings from the breeding of grandparents which are likewise unknownat this time. Both the parent and grandparent cultivars are proprietarylines used exclusively for breeding.

Asexual reproduction by leaf cuttings taken by the inventor at MishmarHashiva, Israel has shown that the unique features of this newgypsophila are stabilized and are reproduced true to type in successivepropagations.

The following characteristics in combination distinguish the newgypsophila from other cultivated gypsophila of this type known and usedin the floriculture industry:

1. Round flower form.

2. White flower color.

3. Flowers are carried on relatively long sturdy stems.

4. Floriferous habit, with many flowers being in bloom and bud at onetime.

5. The growth habit of Magic Tavor is generally upright and conical,with the side branches being relatively close to the main stem. The newcultivar is therefore particularly suited for cut flower reproduction.

6. Excellent branching, particularly if the plant is pinched 3-5 weeksafter planting.

7. In Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, the new cultivar flowers continuouslyfrom approximately April through late fall.

8. Magic Tavor possesses day neutrality that is, it will respond tolower levels of light for flowering. Thus, under natural outdoor lightconditions, the new cultivar will flower comparatively earlier in thespring and very late in the fall or early winter.

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the branching andflowering traits of Magic Tavor, showing the colors as true as itreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproduction of this type.

The new cultivar can be compared in certain traits to the unpatentedcultivar Perfecta, a commercial cultivar well known in Israel. Withregard to flowering, when grown under the same temperatures and daylength, Magic Tavor will reach flowering faster, particularly in thespring and fall, due to the ability of Magic Tavor to induce floweringunder shorter day lengths. For example, in November with a day length of10.5 hours in Israel, Magic Tavor will flower and Perfecta will not.Magic Tavor produces about 25% fewer flowering stems per flash thanPerfecta, under the same growing conditions.

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar based onplants produced in an open filed in accordance with commercial practicesin Mishmar Hashva, Israel.

Color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (RHS) except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

Parentage: Both male and female parents are unknown.

Propagation: By leaf tip cuttings, rooting is very good, with rootsbeing initiated in 10-11 days at 30° C. in summer, and in 11-12 days at20° C. in winter.

PLANT DESCRIPTION

A. Form: Upright and conical, excellent for cut flower production.

B. Habit of growth: Fast growing and excellent branching. When grown inIsrael under average winter temperatures of approximately 10° C. andunder normal field conditions, the height of the new cultivar isapproximately 75 cm. Flowering is early since Magic Tavor has been shownto have day neutrality that is, it is less responsive to daylength thansome other cultivars in this class. The plant is perennial in Israelwhere average winter temperatures are approximately 10° C.

C. Foliage:

1. Size.--Leaves are long and narrow, approximately 12 cm in length and1.5 cm in width; there are very few leaves on flowering stems.

2. Shape.--Lanceolate.

3. Margin.--Entire.

4. Texture.--Hairy.

5. Color.--Top side: 147A. Under side: 147A.

6. Venation.--Palmate but very inconspicuous with a prominent midrib.

FLOWERING DESCRIPTION

A. Natural flowering season: In Israel under outdoor conditions,flowering starts in April and continues until late fall.

B. Flower buds: Closed bud is round and approximately 2 mm in diameter.

C. Flowers borne: On relatively long, rigid stems.

D. Quantity of flowers: Very floriferous; a total of approximately 2000flowers are produced on one flowering stem.

E. Petals:

1. Shape.--Generally round.

2. Color.--155D, fading to very pale pink.

3. Number of petals.--Approximately 20-25.

4. Size of flowers.--Approximately 1.0 cm in total flower diameter.

F. Reproductive organs: Flowers are monoecious.

1. Stamens.--5 anthers, thin, color white; pollen is white.

2. Pistils.--Stigma are cone shaped and light green in color; style islight green; there are five ovaries 1.2 mm in size and light green incolor.

G. Disease resistance: Magic Tavor has not been shown to be sensitive tobotrytis or other common diseases.

H. Fertility: male and female sterile.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of gypsophila plant named MagicTavor, as illustrated and described.